Congratulations to Grace Soellner!

Grace Soellner is the recipient of this year’s Bosco Scholarship. Grace graduated from Jasper High School and will be attending Marian University in Indianapolis in the fall. Grace has chosen a major in religious studies. She hopes to one day use her degree to work for the Church as a youth minister and DRE.

Looking back, Grace’s favorite part of high school was all the friends she met. While she is nervous about not understanding the material in her college classes, she is most excited for all the new things she will learn and the new people she’ll get to meet.

Best wishes to you, Grace!

What are the youth ministers doing?

You see another email from me (Jacqueline) and yet another event has been cancelled. It may leave you wondering…what is there for a youth minister to do right now?

I’ll admit, it’s been interesting. Some days it’s difficult to find motivation to keep moving forward not knowing when we’ll be able to have a ‘normal’ youth night again. I’m trying to look at it as an adventure. We must get really creative to minister to the youth in our community while being separated.

Anna keeps a continuous presence on our social media with inspirational quotes and music. We want to let the kids know we are here and be encouraged. Video conferences would seem a wonder in technology right now, but we’ve found that these can be overdone. Holding a video meeting for our group on Good Friday brought out a handful of young people but not nearly as many as we hoped for. Between eLearning three days a week and video chatting with friends, this avenue is being burnt out. Not being able to gather as a large group, we’re trying a new approach.

For our own personal development, Anna, Josh, and I are reading together The Master Plan of Evangelism by Dr. Robert E. Coleman. We really enjoying learning about sharing the Gospel and forming disciples the way Jesus did. Dr. Coleman’s insights are leading us in good discussion. As we read each chapter, we discuss how the principles can be applied to our ministry.

These insights are leading us in some new endeavors. Anna is using her artistic talent to teach calligraphy of the Scriptures to middle school girls. Josh and Joe are working together to offer the Lectio Divina to the Bosco guys soon. I am going old school and creating a fun newspaper to be mailed to all of our young people. All of us take time out of our day to send a personal note or comment to individuals using social media or snail mail. A few other efforts underway include a Bosco t-shirt, care packages for our graduates, and a funny musical parody. In these ways we’re keeping our ministry relevant and personal despite being stuck at home.

At the same time, I continue planning for the months ahead with the hope that some event will be allowed to continue. This includes keeping all groups updated with cancellations, planning ahead for next year and whenever we’re able to gather next. Testing out new ideas and collaborating with other youth ministers has also been time well spent. Not to be understated is the most important aspect of our jobs; prayer, prayer, and more prayer.

My focus has been to view this time as a blessing. Our open schedule gives us room for creativity. We are able to slow down from the usual flurry of events and focus on what is really important to ministry; getting to know one another. My hope is we will touch a few lives in a new way and bring them closer to Christ.

If you read about any of the efforts above and want to receive updates, reach out to us by email or phone any time!

Happy Easter to all!

Happy Easter to you all! Even though Easter Sunday was over a week ago, we await the arrive of the Holy Spirit in these 50 days before Pentecost.

We all had to experience Easter Sunday a little differently this year and I wanted to share a reflection on my Easter. Our whole family was together on a conference call and watched a Sunday mass together. Then we shared how we were going to celebrate the day in each household. It was the next best thing to being together in person.

We watched the mass of my sister-in-law’s parish in Fort Wayne. The priest’s homily caught my attention and has been the subject of much reflection for me. He illustrated the relevance of the Gospel events by drawing an analogy between our current times and the events following the death of Christ. He pointed out that even though Christ had risen, the disciples were still in hiding similar to a self-imposed quarantine. While they did not risk disease by being out in public, the fear of persecution and even death was a reality.

From there, I began to see more similarities. The most relevant being that the disciples were apart from Christ in the flesh. They were living the Easter joy of His resurrection but were still stuck inside with only a remnant of their former faith community. In a similar way, during this time we are separated from Christ in the Eucharist. We are striving to live the joy of Easter within our households instead of in churches with our parish family.

A beautiful, hopeful insight from this is that Christ did not leave the disciples alone during this time. To all outside appearances, the disciples were alone and hiding fearfully. But they were not abandoned. After seeing the empty tomb and hearing Mary’s encounter, Christ continued to appear in their midst in very intimate ways. Their gatherings were not the same as before but Jesus was with them in his glorified body. He met them in their room, ask them to touch his wounds, and ate with them. He met them in their work, on the road, and, again, ate and talked with them. (John 20:19, Luke 24:36, John 21, Luke 24:13)

Our whole lives we’ve been able to build our faith through intimate community. How much could it increase our joy to notice the ways Christ comes to us even though we are not together at mass? He comes to our homes, as we venture out to the grocery store, during our video conferences; He is even there in the fast food drive-thru (my family’s latest escape). In these final days of being “stuck” at home, ask the Resurrected Jesus to show himself to you. Prioritize some time for reflection and prayer (we’ve all been meaning to). How do you see Christ presence coming to meet you where you are? How will we appreciate Christ’s presence anew when we experience Him in the Eucharist again?

May the peace and joy of the Easter season be with you.

Jacqueline

Response to COVID-19 shutdowns

Dear Bosco members, parents, and volunteers,

I hope you and your families are doing well. With the many different closures occurring due to the coronavirus, I wanted to inform everyone how we will be handling the situation. Bosco will be adhering to Bishop Siegel’s mandate that all ministry events be cancelled starting March 16th. This includes youth nights, Fatima rosary & DQ, muffing morning, JMS and HT bible studies, Beloved study, and the Middle School Retreat. If you’ve not seen the update, the Maria Goretti Youth Distinction Mass and Honors on March 15th has also been cancelled. 

My hope is to reschedule the Middle School Retreat for a later date. This will depend on the state of the virus as well as scheduling. If the retreat cannot be rescheduled, the participants will receive a separate communication regarding a refund.  

The only essential meeting that will happen (because it is necessary for the summer trips) will be the Safe Environment training next Wednesday the 18th at 8:30 pm. There are only a few individuals who need training should keep an eye out for another email regarding this.

As much as we want to continue our ministry during this time, we would rather reduce everyone’s risk of exposure and temporarily discontinue our gatherings. Anna, Josh, and I are still available to you via text, calls, or email throughout the week. If more updates happen regarding the situation we will reach out to you by email. Know that you are all in our prayers, as always, but particularly during this time. We hope you will include us in your prayers as well. 

Thanks and blessings, Jacqueline

Congratulations to Nathan Freyberger!

Congratulations to Nathan Freyberger who is the recipient of our second annual St. John Bosco Youth Ministry Scholarship. Nathan will be attending Ball State University this coming fall, and we want to wish him the best in all of his endeavors! May God bless you in all that you do, Nathan.

To incoming seniors graduating in 2020, this scholarship will be open for your application here soon. You will be able to find application information on the scholarship page beginning January 2020.

2018 Summer Camps

High School Students,

We have arranged three trips for you to pick from to take a deeper dive into your faith this coming summer. Pick one, two or all three! We have limited spots so RSVP with me as soon as you can commit. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask me. Finally, we have scholarship funds available to help anyone with the cost– funding should NEVER be an obstacle to growing in your faith through Bosco Youth Ministry.

Peace!  – Angie

Catholic Heart Work Camp

*Join us for a week of serving others & meeting people from across the U.S.
#LOVESERVECONNECT
Where: Philadelphia, PA
When: June 9-16,2018
Cost:$ 305.00
RSVP: March 1, 2018 Deposit ($100) due. (Limited spots, claim yours early!)

One Bread, One Cup

*Learn about how God wants to use you in the Mass and meet teens from
across the U.S. who also want to learn more about their faith. We will have
national youth speakers and musicians with us all week!
Where: St. Meinrad, IN
When: June 21-25, 2018
Cost: $200.00
Website: https://www.saintmeinrad.edu/youth/
RSVP: April 1, HOWEVER: Scholarship applications are due FEB. 1, 2018!

Notre Dame VISION

*Get ready to be mentored by the BEST! Notre Dame students walk through this
week with you to show you what being a modern day Saint looks like–you
might be surprised!
Where: University of Notre Dame in South Bend, IN
When: July 16-20, 2018
Cost: $50.00 (We have donors who greatly help offset the total cost!)
Web: http://icl.nd.edu/notre-dame-vision/learn-more/for-high-school-youth/
RSVP: March 1, 2018 Total cost of $50 is due.

2017/2018 Calendar

          

*All families are welcome at the Teen Masses which are every 2nd Sunday at 6PM at Precious Blood. Pizza follows in the cafeteria for all families. 

September 10 Teen Mass & Pizza at Precious Blood at 6pm
September 13 HS Youth Night 8:30PM – 9:30PM @ Bosco House
September 20 HS Youth Night 8:30PM – 9:30PM @ Bosco House
September 26 Bosco Bagels 6:45AM-7:30AM (High School Breakfast at Azura)
September 27 HS Youth Night 8:30PM – 9:30PM @ Bosco House
September 29 Middle School Youth Night 6:30PM-8PM @ Holy Family Gym
October 4 HS Youth Night 8:30PM – 9:30PM @ Bosco House
October 8 Teen Mass & Pizza at Precious Blood at 6pm
October 11 HS Youth Night 8:30PM – 9:30PM @ Bosco House
October 18 HS Youth Night 8:30PM – 9:30PM @ Bosco House
October 25 FALL BREAK
October 27 Middle School Youth Night at St. Mary Ireland for Bonfire 6:30PM-8PM

Evening will include bonfire, cookout and outdoor games.
October 31 Bosco Bagels 6:45AM-7:30AM (High School Breakfast at Azura)
November 1 HS Youth Night 8:30PM – 9:30PM @ Bosco House
November 8 HS Youth Night 8:30PM – 9:30PM @ Bosco House
November 11-13 TEC Weekend for HS Juniors & Seniors www.switec.org
November 12 Teen Mass & Pizza at Precious Blood at 6pm
November 15 HS Youth Night 8:30PM – 9:30PM @ Bosco House
Nov. 16-18 National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis!
November 28 Bosco Bagels 6:45AM-7:30AM (High School Breakfast at Azura)
November 29 HS Youth Night 8:30PM – 9:30PM @ Bosco House
December 6 HS Youth Night 8:30PM – 9:30PM @ Bosco House
December 10 Christmas Caroling Service Project & Teen Mass & Pizza at Precious Blood at 6pm
December 13 HS Youth Night 8:30PM – 9:30PM @ Bosco House
December 20 HS Christmas Party 8:30PM – 9:30PM @ Bosco House
December 29 Middle School Youth Night 6:30PM-8PM Precious Blood Gym & Endress Hall. Christmas Theme! Wear your best Christmas Cheer Outfit!
January 3 HS Youth Night 8:30PM – 9:30PM @ Bosco House
January 10 HS Youth Night 8:30PM – 9:30PM @ Bosco House
January 14 Teen Mass & Pizza at Precious Blood at 6pm
January 17 HS Youth Night 8:30PM – 9:30PM @ Bosco House
January 17-21 Diocesan March for Life trip to Washington, DC
January 24 HS Youth Night 8:30PM – 9:30PM @ Bosco House
January 26 Middle School Service Project!  6:30PM-8PM @ the Lange-Fuhs Cancer Center @ Memorial Hospital
January 30 Bosco Bagels 6:45AM-7:30AM (High School Breakfast at Azura)
January 31 HS Youth Night 8:30PM – 9:30PM @ Bosco House
February 7 HS Youth Night 8:30PM – 9:30PM @ Bosco House
February 11 Teen Mass & Pizza at Precious Blood at 6pm
February 14 HS Youth Night 8:30PM – 9:30PM @ Bosco House (Ash Wednesday)
February 21 Deanery Senior Night: Dinner & Program @ St. Joe                          No HS YOUTH NIGHT due to Bosco being represented at Senior Night
February 23 Middle School Youth Night 6:30PM-8PM (Location TBA)
February 27 Bosco Bagels 6:45AM-7:30AM (High School Breakfast at Azura)
February 28 HS Youth Night 8:30PM – 9:30PM @ Bosco House (Ash Wednesday)
March 7 HS Youth Night 8:30PM – 9:30PM @ Bosco House (Ash Wednesday)
March 11 Teen Mass & Pizza at Precious Blood at 6pm
March 14 HS Youth Night 8:30PM – 9:30PM @ Bosco House
March 16-18 Source & Summit @ Reitz Memorial HS, Evansville. Open to 7th-12th graders.
March 21 HS Youth Night 8:30PM – 9:30PM @ Bosco House
March 23-26 Middle School Retreat @ Gasper River, Owensboro, KY

Open to 6th-8th graders from JMS & Holy Trinity; RSVP by 2/26/18

Bus leaves at 6PM on Friday and returns at noon on Monday.  Cost: $100/youth  Retreat will include a vertical playground, zipline, bonfires and more!
March 30 High School Stations of the Cross & Movie Night at Holy Family 7pm-11pm
April 4 HS Youth Night 8:30PM – 9:30PM @ Bosco House
April 8 Teen Mass & Pizza at Precious Blood at 6pm
April 11 HS Youth Night 8:30PM – 9:30PM @ Bosco House
April 18 HS Youth Night 8:30PM – 9:30PM @ Bosco House
April 25 HS Youth Night 8:30PM – 9:30PM @ Bosco House
April 27 Middle School Youth Night 6:30PM-8PM @ St. Joe Parish Center
May 2 HS Youth Night 8:30PM – 9:30PM @ Bosco House
May 9 HS Youth Night 8:30PM – 9:30PM @ Bosco House
May 13 Teen Mass & Pizza at Precious Blood at 6pm
May 16 BOSCO REUNION 7PM-9PM @ Bosco House for all current high school and college aged youth. Everyone asked to bring a side dish- BOSCO will grill out!
May 25 Jasper High School Commencement
June 10-16, 2018 Catholic Heart Work Camp in Philadelphia, PA (Current 8th graders and high school teens)
July 16-20, 2018 Notre Dame Vision @ University of Notre Dame (High School)
Aug. 4 Strassenfest Wettlauf 5K: Fundraiser for Holy Trinity and Bosco
August TBA 3rd Annual Adult Leader Extravaganza for parents: Location TBA